I’ve been so lucky. I’ve been able to train at some of the best schools in the nation with financial assistance. My student loans are minimal, though still burdernsome, compared to so many. I get a manageable amount of money through unemployment during the summer. Dance has taken me to some of the most beautiful places in the world, to some corners that I never imagined I would have the pleasure of seeing. I have incredible and talented friends. A family that doesn’t care what gender or religion I choose, only that I’m happy and healthy. I’m in a relationship with someone who is proud of me even when I feel ashamed of myself. As a dancer, as an artist, we can get so lost in the things we don’t have. We have a gift of sensitivity that is both a blessing and a burden. We feel things tremendously and get lost in the things that disappoint and distract us. As the summer draws to an end I’m choosing to be grateful. I’m choosing to focus on what I’ve accomplished and on the beautiful gifts I have in my life. I have a job that I love, that doesn’t require idle hours behind a desk with only my computer to keep me company. Traveling this summer seeing old dance friends, we laughed about how poor we were. But we are so rich in memories and travel and culture and damn, on our dimes we can still have a heck of a Friday night. Would we like bigger paychecks? Absolutely. But when sat sharing stories about tour, how many people out there can say they’re tired of going to Rome?

Being a dancer is a tumultuous career with so many ups and downs. It’s incredibly easy to let feelings of self- doubt and self- loathing consume you. I’m so thrilled that more articles and videos are surfacing that are addressing the strenuous psychology of this craft. I don’t want to get lost in that all too familiar psyche, and I am so thankful for a support group and spirit that pulls me back to reality. If there’s one thing we can take away from Girls Trip, it’s that we are strong, and beautiful and powerful. We should be reminding ourselves of this constantly, reminding our students and reminding each other. Things could be better, the grass could be greener, we could have less cellulite. But as artists we can create something moving and lasting and life-changing. We have an outlet to channel our insecurities and fears, and a platform to inspire others to hopefully do the same….my pointe exactly.